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    STUDIA BIOLOGIA - Issue no. 1 / 2013  
         
  Article:   POSTER ABSTRACTS : COMPARATIVE PERFORMANCE OF COPPER UPTAKE BY TWO ECOTYPES OF GIANT REED (ARUNDO DONAX L.) GROWN ON HYDROPONIC CULTURE.

Authors:  TAREK ALSHAAL, N. ELHAWAT, ÉVA DOMOKOS-SZABOLCSY, JÁNOS KÁTAI, LÁSZLÓ MÁRTON, MIHÁLY CZAKÓ, ANNAMÁRIA GERŐCS, FÁRI MIKLÓS GÁBOR.
 
       
         
  Abstract:  VIEW PDF: POSTER ABSTRACTS

Contamination of water bodies such as streams, drains and ground water resources with trace elements represents a potential threat to humans, animals and plants, and thus removal of these metals from contaminated waters has received increasing attention. Increase of man’s needs requires development in life activities, progress industrialization, transportation tools, enhancement of agriculture and exploitation of natural resources. Soil and water resources are extremely exposed to pollution from different aspects. Agrochemicals in particular, have created severe problems, since they release thousands of chemicals to the environment. Studies on the effect of environmental pollutants on agro-ecosystem have been carried out. On the other hand, the importance of heavy metals as environmental pollutants is well known and well documented in literature. Copper toxicity is a problem of both agricultural and environmental significance. Sources of Cu contamination include mining and smelting, urban, industrial and agricultural wastes, and the use of agrochemicals. Despite its environmental and agricultural importance, the concentration, distribution and fractionation of anthropogenic, and naturally occurring Cu in soils is poorly known. Although the total Cu content in soils is a useful indicator of soil deficiency and/or contamination, it does not provide enough information about its environmental impact. Copper availability to biota (as a nutrient or toxin) and its mobility are the most important factors to be considered when assessing its effect on the soil environment. Copper must be absorbed in small amounts on a daily basis to maintain good health. A daily dietary intake of 1–2 milligrams is required. However, high levels of copper can be harmful to health. Inhaling high levels can cause irritation to the nasal passages, mouth, eyes and throat, and ingesting high copper concentrations can lead to nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea. Exposure to very high levels can damage the liver and kidneys and may lead to death. Copper is classified as a hazardous substance. Giant reed (Arundo donax L.) is widely employed as raw material for the production of paper. It is also a good candidate for soil phytoremediation as it is a high plant with deep roots and fast growth. Giant reed’s ability to tolerate and accumulate heavy metals such as nickel, cadmium, zinc and lead has been well documented. The aim of this study is to investigate the ability of two different ecotypes (“ESP” and “08”) of giant reed for tolerance and removal of copper under hydroponic culture using different concentrations of copper as follow; 0, 1. 2, 3, 5, 10 and 26.8 mgL-1. To determine the effects of copper on giant reed chlorophyll a and b, activities of catalase (CAT), peroxidase (POD), superoxidase dismutase (SOD), and photosynthetic activities were measured. Our result confirmed that giant reed showed a potential of phytoremediation of contaminated soil charged with low concentrations of Cu. Acknowledgements. The work is partly supported by the TÁMOP- 4.2.2.A-11/1/KONV-2012-0041 project and co-financed by the European Union and the European Social Fund. Additional financial support is also gratefully acknowledged for the MOP Biotech Co Ltd. (Nyíregyháza, Hungary) and Ereky Foundation (Debrecen, Hungary). Additional financial support is also gratefully acknowledged for Balassi Institute, the Hungarian Scholarship Board Office, Budapest, Hungary.
 
         
     
         
         
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